A Turkish border town known for its cats - in times of peace

The border town of Van in Turkey is known for being a hub for Iranian travelers, its lavish breakfasts ... and its cats.

JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:

The area in Turkey near the border with Iran is a hotbed of Iranian travelers, dissidents and government officials. And it's where NPR's Emily Feng has been reporting from during the war. But in times of peace, the border area is well-known among tourists for something else entirely, and it is not just the landscape.

EMILY FENG, BYLINE: Turkey's eastern Van province butts right up against the snow-covered mountains that separate it from Iran. People come here to see Turkey's largest lake, the crystalline blue Lake Van.

(SOUNDBITE OF CATS MEOWING)

FENG: And also to see its cats.

These gorgeous white cats famous for their striking eyes. One is green, one is blue.

The Turkish government started protecting these cats about 30 years ago, and they now breed them. About 50 of these Van cats are cared for here at what's called the Van cat villa in town.

(SOUNDBITE OF CAT MEOWING)

FENG: I'm surrounded by white cats right now. But I have a secret, which is I'm more of a dog person. And I'm trying not to breathe too much.

I'm not that allergic.

The cats and the cat villa have become a local attraction, and Marvay Inmila (ph) has come to see them while visiting from Istanbul.

MARVAY INMILA: (Non-English language spoken)

FENG: She says the Van cats like to live in large groups together. They're not meant to be pets.

(SOUNDBITE OF CAT MEOWING)

FENG: They're really aggressive.

BARAN TALIBARAN: (Non-English language spoken).

FENG: The cats' carer, Baran Talibaran (ph), says unlike most other cats, the Van cat loves water. They've been known to swim in Lake Van. Some Kurdish legends here in Van say the cats are divinely blessed. Other folk tales trace them back to Noah's ark. All I know is they make me a little itchy.

(SOUNDBITE OF CAT MEOWING)

FENG: Emily Feng, NPR News, Van, Turkey.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

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